WESTPORT — Thousands of bright yellow duckies brightened an overcast Jesup Green on Saturday, as crowds flocked to watch the faux fowl compete in the Westport Sunrise Rotary Club’s “Great Duck Race.”

Fun and fundraising were the order of the day as activities of all sorts spread across the green to help support the club’s largest annual community event, benefiting a range of charitable initiatives.

The 15th annual event attracted about 5,000 people, according to club organizers, starting with a Family Fun Fair in the morning, leading up to the big race at 1 p.m.

More than 3,000 ducks, dropped onto a 160-foot slide, splashed, waddled, slid and waded toward the finish line, cheered on by the crowd.

Numbers were assigned to each duck, and the first 10  ducks to cross the finish line won money for their ticket holders.

The lucky duck winner of the $5,000 first-place prize was Will Augustyn, and the $1,000 second-place prize went to George Masumian. 

The next eight ducks to cross the finish line won $500 for each of their respective ticket holders: Stephen Pianca, Jim Marpe, David Moore, Michael Paul, Steven Benardete, Jason Rich, Aimee Monroy Smith and Judith McBride.

Club officials were aiming to raise $70,000 during this year’s Great Duck Race, with all proceeds devoted to the group’s local and international charities.

Visit the Westport Sunrise Rotary Club website or email info@westportsunriserotary.org for information about the organization and how to become a member.